Dehradun District Administration to Fund Treatment of Children with Rare Diseases; Rifle Club Fund to Cover Additional Medical Costs
DM Dr. Ashish Chauhan: “No child will be deprived of treatment due to financial constraints”
Dehradun, July 18, 2026:
In a significant step towards ensuring timely and quality healthcare for children suffering from rare diseases, the Dehradun district administration has decided to provide additional financial support for their treatment. District Magistrate Dr. Ashish Chauhan announced that if financial assistance available under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) is insufficient, the remaining treatment expenses will be covered through the Rifle Club Fund.
The decision was taken during a high-level review meeting chaired by the District Magistrate to assess the identification, referral, treatment progress, and financial assistance for children diagnosed with rare diseases under the RBSK scheme.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Manoj Sharma informed the meeting that 16 children in Dehradun district have so far been identified with various rare diseases under the national programme. These children have been referred or proposed for treatment at specialized medical institutions across the country. He noted that treatment for rare diseases is often highly expensive and long-term, placing a considerable financial burden on affected families.
Dr. Chauhan directed officials to ensure that every eligible child receives treatment without unnecessary delays. He instructed departments to complete all formalities related to documentation, approvals, referrals, and financial assistance within the stipulated timeline.
The District Magistrate further stated that wherever treatment costs exceed the financial assistance available under RBSK, the district administration will provide additional support through the Rifle Club Fund. He emphasized that no child’s treatment should suffer due to a lack of financial resources.
Calling the lives of children the administration’s highest priority, Dr. Chauhan instructed the Health Department, Child Development Department, and other concerned agencies to closely monitor every case, maintain regular communication with parents, and ensure timely approvals and assistance from the government.
During the meeting, officials reviewed the treatment status, referral process, financial assistance, medical progress, and future requirements of each identified child. The District Magistrate directed all departments to work in close coordination and with utmost sensitivity to eliminate any administrative or financial hurdles in the treatment process.
The meeting was attended by Additional District Magistrate (Finance & Revenue) K.K. Mishra, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Manoj Sharma, District Programme Officer (Child Development) Jitendra Kumar, and senior officials from the concerned departments.
